Game counting device



Au 14, 1951 G, RUPP 2,564,450

GAME COUNTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 12, 1950 INVENTOR. MAURICE G. RUPP luj . 15 through which a shaft [6 extends.

Hunder face of the plate I 4 and connected to Patented Aug. 14, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME COUNTING DEVICE Maurice G. Rupp, East Orange, N. J. Application October 12, 1950, Serial No. 189,799

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to vice.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a game counting device wherein the score can be automatically added as dials with finger openings are moved to add up the different scores to stopping points and in tens, hundreds and total in thousands.

It is another object of the invention to provide a game counting device which is particularly adapted for use with the new game of Canasta so that the score can be always made available to the players without the need of a pencil and paper and whereby to permit the game to be more quickly played.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a game counting device which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, has a a game counting de- .minimum number of parts, compact, of pleasing appearance, easy to operate, and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the game counting device embodying the features of the present invention with illustration made as to the operation of the same.

Fig. 2 is a collective view of the parts of the device separated from one another, these parts being shown in perspective.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the device with portions of certain of the parts removed to show the interior construction of the device.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the device enlarged and with portions broken away to show the interior construction and at the side of the device opposite from the side of the device which is shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the figures, l represents a bottom plate having a peripheral flange ll. Adapted to be fitted into the bottom plate l0 and within the flange H is an internal gear ring l2 having internal gear teeth l3. This ring has numerical countings of one hundred denominations from which the final scoring of the game can be taken. Adapted to fit over the ring [2 and onto the flange II is a top cover plate 14'. This cover plate has an offset hole On the the shaft I6 is a counting disc I! having markings of five, ten and so forth up to one hundred by which the smaller denominations can be added. The shaft l6 extends upwardly through the plate and on the upper side of the plate there is connected to this shaft a dial I8 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes [9 through which the markings on the upper face,

as indicated at 2|, can appear, inasmuch as the top plate may be transparent in this region and 10 for this purpose. Also on the shaft I6 is a gear 22 which travels with the disc l8 and which is engaged by a spring pawl 23 fixed to the top face of the plate [4. A pawl and ratchet effect is had upon the assembly of the dial I8 and the disc I! so that the same will be held to the location to which it has been angularly adjusted.

On the top of the plate I 4 is a stop bar 24 that extends from the opposite sides of a raised projection 25.

The markings of the ring [2 will appear through a window opening 25 on the left side of the top plate l4 and the markings on the upper face of the plate I! will appear through a window opening 26 in the top plate and adjacent to the opening 25.

At the right of the dial l8 and at the opposite side of the raised projection 25 is a small dial 2'! which has a shaft portion .28 extending downwardly through the top plate [4 and fixed 30 to a small gear 29. A spring 3| engages this gear to keep the assembly from turning. This gear may be turned by a projection 32 on the disc I! on each turn of the disc I7. In this manner, countings of one hundred can be im- 35 parted to gear 29 and in turn added to the ring gear l2 since the gear 29 is in engagement with the teeth l3 of this-gear 12. To add amounts of one hundred directly, the small dial 21 is used. There are ten holes in the small dial and by placing the finger in the proper amount and the dial swung toward the stop bar 24, this amount is added to the total score.

In operation, scores of less than one hundred are added by the disc or dial [8. The dial is rotated in a clock-wise direction until the finger comes to a stop upon the bar 24. This amount can be indicated through the opening 26.

To add amounts of one hundred, the small dial 2'! is used and the finger is brought to a stop against the bar 24. Amounts of one hundred are transmitted to the ring gear in order that the total indication can be read through the opening 25 of the top plate I4. When the dial I8 has made a complete revolution, the projection 32 of the disc I! will be brought into engagement on the gear 29 so that this gear may rotate the ring H to add one hundred to the total score.

It will be apparent that the device is formed of a minimum number of parts and that these parts are interconnected for the sole purpose of giving a complete score. By the use of two dials, the scorings are added to the total count.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A game counting device comprising a bottom plate, an internal ring gear lying over said plate and rotatable thereupon, a cover plate ly-.

ing over the ring gear, said cover plate having two dials mounted thereon for rotation, means connecting one of the dials with the ring gear to rotate the same, said ring gear having score markings thereon, said cover plate having an opening through which the score markings can be observed, means connected to the other dial having score markings thereon, and said means for the second dial having engagement with the means. of the first dial on one revolution of the second dial whereby to add scoring to the inter! nal ring gear.

2. A game counting device comprising a bottom plate, an internal, ring" gear rotatable upon said bottom plate, a cover plate extending over the ring gear, a finger dial journalled on the cover plate, a gear connected to the finger dial and meshing with the internal ring gear, a secand finger dial journalled on the cover plate, a member having a single projection extending from its periphery and engageable with the small gear to partially turn the same upon one rotation of the member, said member being connected to, the second dial, said ring gear having score markings thereon, said member connected to the second dial having score markings thereon, said cover plate having openings through which the score markings can be observed.

3. A game counting device comprising a bottom plate, an internal ring gear rotatable upon said bottom plate, a cover plate extending over the ring gear, a finger dial journalled on the cover plate, a gear connected to the finger dial and meshing with the internal ring gear, a second finger dial journalled on the cover plate, a member having a single projection extending from its periphery and engageable with the small gear to partially turn the same upon one rotation of the member, said member being connected to the second dial, said ring gear having score markings thereon, said member connected to the second dial having score markings thereon, said cover plate having openings through which the score markings can be observed and ratchet means connected between the second dial and thecover plate, a detent engageable with the small gear to retain the small gear and the internal gear in the positions to which they have been adjusted.

4. A game counting device comprising a bottom pl an in r l. ring ear rota abl upon said bottom plate, a cover plate extending over the ring gear, a finger dial journalled on the cover plate, a gear connected to the finger dial and meshing with the internal ring gear, a sec- 0nd finger dial journalled en the cover plate, a member having a single projection extending from its periphery and engageable with the small gear to partially turn the same upon one rotation of the member, said member being connected to the second dial, said ring gear having score markings thereon, said member connected to the second dial having score markings thereon, said cover plate having openings through which the score markings can be observed, means for retaining the first dial in a position to which it has been rotated, means for retaining the second dial in the position to which it has been rotated, said dials having respectively finger openings therein, and a stop bar extending between the two dials and in the path of the finger when used in the openings of the dials, and mounting means for securing the stop bar to the top of the cover plate,

MAURICE G. RUPP.

No references cited. 

